Sunday, 14 July 2013

Author Interview & Giveaway: Livia Olteano

About the Author:

Livia lives in Europe where she listens to obscene amounts of music and devours every reading material in sight. When she’s not doing either of the two, she fiddles with anything remotely customizable within reach.

Both, I think. I try to think up the main line of a story after I’m hit by inspiration about the main character or a relationship or such. Not going into details, just a loose, one phrase summary if you will. Then I start writing and just roll with it. Sometimes that one phrase ends being a good short summary, sometimes the story ends up going far away from it. But it’s always fun :)

Do your characters ever want to take over the story?

I only write about characters that do take over the story. Maybe that’s odd, but to me it’s all about character. If one of them isn’t strong enough to take over and tell its own story, then that story will be a work-in-progress for a long time. I like characters strong enough to take over.

What is your favourite food?

Lemon ice-cream, without a doubt.

Are you a morning person or a night owl?

Mornings should be outlawed. I’m a definite night owl, been so ever since I was born and never stopped. Don’t really intend to in the future, either.

Where do you dream of travelling to and why?

I’m not the traveling kind, sad to say. I love the idea of it, of experiencing diversity, of broadening my horizons–the idea is fabulous. The actual traveling is always a horror; can’t sleep in any bed but my own, can’t relax anywhere I’ve never been before, etc.

Do distant places feature in your books?

I guess, though I’m rarely geographically-specific about stories. But when writing I tend to use all kinds of elements I’ve read about, researched, found interesting.

Do you listen to music while writing?

God, yes! What I feel is my best work is done while listening to music. I use it to go into a state of mind I find useful for that particular scene. If I’m not hunting for a certain state of mind, I’m listening to classical music while writing.

Could you tell us a bit about your latest release?

Blitzkrieg Love is a Contemporary Spicy New Adult Romance. The main character has a troubled past, her love interest has a troubled past. They both have issues, limits, sore spots, but they try to not let that define who they are.

What have you learned about writing and publishing since you first started?

Considering my first release was earlier this year and this is my second, I can’t say I’m overly experienced in the field. But what I have learned so far is to always listen to your instincts. And try, try, try–don’t give up if you feel you’ve got stories to tell. Sometimes it’s gonna be tough, even heartbreaking to keep trying. Try all the same, until you get whatever it is that you want.

Is there anything you would do differently?

Nope. Whatever I am now, and whatever I’m doing and however well, it’s all the result of everything up to this point.

Who, or what, if anything has influenced your writing?

Everything and anything, I guess. I can’t say I have this one specific thing in mind.

Anything you would say to those just starting out in the craft?

Try, try, try. :)

What are three words that describe you?

Caffeinated, funny, hedonist.

What's your favourite book or who is your favourite writer?

I can’t say I have one favorite. I pick something I love out of everything, more like, enjoy the most out of everything.

Twenty-two-year-old Beatrice Stevens lives to dance. Two years ago she walked in on the picture of horror: after stabbing her mom 34 times, her father killed himself. She found his corpse still clutching at her mom’s, determined not to let go of her even in death. Now Beatrice freaks out if she’s hugged, loomed over or receives attention from daddy-type guys. Unless she’s dancing—the one thing that feeds her soul and saves her time after time.

Anthony Gowl wants Beatrice from the moment she bumps her adorable nose into his chest. That desire turns into a burning need after he sees her dance. But he’s the overprotective type—he can’t help it, it’s part of him ever since his sister ODed seven years ago. His savior complex makes him the perfect opposite of what Beatrice needs.

But she can’t seem to shake him. He’s both scary and exciting, even when he kneels at her feet. And the closer he gets, the more that toxic waste in her soul threatens to explode.